Thiruvananthapuram: Kerala continues to rely heavily on electricity imports, incurring an annual expenditure of nearly ₹10,000 crore, despite possessing significant hydropower infrastructure, including 61 dams and 42 hydroelectric stations.
Officials point out that the state’s own generation capacity is insufficient to meet rising demand, particularly during summer months when water levels in reservoirs drop. Hydroelectric output has also been affected by inconsistent rainfall patterns in recent years.
Energy experts argue that improved efficiency, expansion of renewable energy projects, and better water resource management could help reduce dependency on costly imports from other states and the national grid. The state government has indicated that long-term strategies are being explored to enhance self-sufficiency in power generation.
